winter and heat mats?

[Don Geno]

Was wondering if anyone has tried using heat mats for potted plants? Thinking maybe just setting pots ontop of the heat mats to warm up the roots when lights are off during the 6 hours as I am in get 18/6 also don't want a heater running as I'm not home and get sketched out with leaving a heater running when not home

 

[researching]

It all depends on how cold your room gets. I only use them for clones in the winter. There are heaters that have tip over safeties. I have a small ceramic one I have utilized in the past. Plus cheaper than a bunch of heat mats.

Another option if your floor gets cold is getting them up off the ground.

 

[Don Geno]

It all depends on how cold your room gets. I only use them for clones in the winter. There are heaters that have tip over safeties. I have a small ceramic one I have utilized in the past. Plus cheaper than a bunch of heat mats.

Another option if your floor gets cold is getting them up off the ground.

How much was your tip over safety heater? And my grows in a tent on carpet also i leave the exhaust fan to run a lil longer when lights out would it be good to just turn off exhaust a lol early so heat stays in the tent longer or would that create mold or mildew?

 

[researching]

It was around $20.00 I think it was a sunbeam brand. Got it at either walmart or home depot.

As long as your humidity is fine then turn it off sooner. Another option too is run your lights during the night and off during the day if in flower. I live in a dry state so humidity is almost never a concern. But obviously even in humid states, the humidity is less in winter. Air circulation helps too even with higher humidity. I would keep everything as is, and add a small heater.

 

[420PyRoS]

I use an oil heater, much safer than ceramic as its a closed system. Also once the oil heats up, the unit will shut off on desired temp, and the oil retains heat for quite some time after so you don't break the bank with hydro. They also make no noise, for the stealthy.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Oil heater

 

[freddfish]

How about using foam insulation? Have you ever put a piece of Styrofoam on a stadium seat, or sidewalk and sat on it? No cold gets through. You might find that putting foam insulation under the tent, and using the lights as heaters might solve the problem.

(OR....you could get an inline thermostat that would kick aheater on if it gets too cold. Your call...)

 

[freddfish]

Building sites have the stuff getting thrown away as trash. It is a cheap alternative

 

[tangerinegreen555]

Was wondering if anyone has tried using heat mats for potted plants? Thinking maybe just setting pots ontop of the heat mats to warm up the roots when lights are off during the 6 hours as I am in get 18/6 also don't want a heater running as I'm not home and get sketched out with leaving a heater running when not home

Might dry the bottoms out, Maybe not so good

 

[VTMi'kmaq]

Was wondering if anyone has tried using heat mats for potted plants? Thinking maybe just setting pots ontop of the heat mats to warm up the roots when lights are off during the 6 hours as I am in get 18/6 also don't want a heater running as I'm not home and get sketched out with leaving a heater running when not home

Yes sir op i have done exactly as you have described, had to start out with those mats that come with the 9" clone domes from hydrofarm, the heat mat that came with it will keep 2, 5 gallon buckets warm, i'll need to buy a couple more i think though. so far it's worked great, but i havent seen northern vermont REAL COLD yet either,(like 0 degrees to -15 below F)

 

[Moldy]

Is your soil getting under 60F? Do you have a probe type thermo-couple you can bury down in the dirt a few inches? I have a probe in one plant all winter long. If the soil temp doesn't reach 65 or 70 F by the end of the light cycle then yes, you need to use a heat mat or another form of a heater. My soil gets down to 60F but warms to the low 70's with 1000K hps on the plants. The room is small so I heat up the cement floor over the 12 hour lights on period. In the past I used a heater when running 640W but 1000K makes up for that. BTW in live in high desert with an average temp of 30F at night and 50F days (fall/winter). It won't get much colder than that. I use a semi sealed room bringing in fresh air with a slight room vacuum.

 

[vostok]

if I must ..I use an oil radiator type thing, only 500w,

do note adding any heat to a cold room will make condensate ...

hence increase the chance of mold

it is really important to note both the temp of the soil, and air

and make your decision on that, often there are big temp differences

strain growing has much to do with it, indica s can handle big temp. swings

where as sativa s do struggle at times

good luck

 

[Don Geno]

Thank you all for the help as my thermometer is hitting 68 lights on so cut off the excess fans and lowered the exhaust fan and have it cut off early so heat is left in tent I managed to raise temps to 74-80 degrees Fahrenheit I have been reading of people doing insulation could I cover the tent with a thick blanket? Also have looked into plastic over the Windows to keep the room warmer and not so cold as for a probe for soil K do not have my Pineapple kush is the only one I'm having problems with I'll post a pic

 

[Don Geno]

As you can see my pineapple not doing so well but berry cherry cheesecake is doing nicely

 

[calls]

Is your soil getting under 60F? Do you have a probe type thermo-couple you can bury down in the dirt a few inches? I have a probe in one plant all winter long. If the soil temp doesn't reach 65 or 70 F by the end of the light cycle then yes, you need to use a heat mat or another form of a heater. My soil gets down to 60F but warms to the low 70's with 1000K hps on the plants. The room is small so I heat up the cement floor over the 12 hour lights on period. In the past I used a heater when running 640W but 1000K makes up for that. BTW in live in high desert with an average temp of 30F at night and 50F days (fall/winter). It won't get much colder than that. I use a semi sealed room bringing in fresh air with a slight room vacuum.

Thank you. I liked the way you wrote your comment, You suggested, defined and answered. Thks Rg.

 

[Moldy]

Thank you. I liked the way you wrote your comment, You suggested, defined and answered. Thks Rg.

Sorry but I thought you were in dirt. I don't know about hydro except that I suck at it. I do know I had some cold soil and it stunted growth pretty bad so after that issue I always have at least one probe in the dirt so I know it won't happen again. Winter growing is great except for when it gets too cold. I was told a long time ago that weed plants are like people. They like the same temps as we do and good water. If I'm cold then they are.

 

[Don Geno]

Sorry but I thought you were in dirt. I don't know about hydro except that I suck at it. I do know I had some cold soil and it stunted growth pretty bad so after that issue I always have at least one probe in the dirt so I know it won't happen again. Winter growing is great except for when it gets too cold. I was told a long time ago that weed plants are like people. They like the same temps as we do and good water. If I'm cold then they are.

it in in soil I have hydroton to stop soil from flying around

 

[calls]

Sorry but I thought you were in dirt. I don't know about hydro except that I suck at it. I do know I had some cold soil and it stunted growth pretty bad so after that issue I always have at least one probe in the dirt so I know it won't happen again. Winter growing is great except for when it gets too cold. I was told a long time ago that weed plants are like people. They like the same temps as we do and good water. If I'm cold then they are.

I'm growing in happy frog soil. I sent for a soil thermostat and another PH tester so i can monitor the soil down by the roots. Night time temps are 32-40 degree F. lately. So been running 24/0, 600W MH for 5 weeks, plants are [ no LST ] 8-12" tall. Plan on going 12/12 very soon because of limited grow space. I've read where I can expect 2-3 times more growth during flowering stage. I think to be safe I'll bring plants inside [ covered for total darkness ] during the 12 dark hours. I looked at the tube heaters, but I think they are for frost protection so don't think they would add much temperature wise? And I'm not ready to buy a heater just yet want to keep costs down for now. Call

 

[Moldy]

it in in soil I have hydroton to stop soil from flying around

Okay, wasn't sure on that. My soil flies all over hell. lol

 

[ryan1918]

just use a small space heater if it's not too cold